Are there Bronze, Silver and Gold Belts ahead for Lean?

Lean Certification Program Sponsored by AME, SME and Shingo Prize My Sunday blog post is typically from a Business901 affiliate. This week I would like to use the opportunity to highlight a Lean certification program designed by three organizations – the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), and The Shingo Read More …

eBook on a Lean Journey

Jim Lewis was the guest on the Business901 Podcast and this e-book is a transcription of our recent podcast. Even if you listened to the podcast, I believe you will enjoy the written version. Our discussion centered on how to begin with Lean and the development of a Value Stream Mapping process. Jim is an Read More …

Using Value Stream Mapping in Lean

Drew was my guest on the Business901 Podcast. Our talked centered around how Drew uses the Lean tool of Value Stream Mapping. I think you may be surprised by a few of his answers. Drew is currently Managing Director for Change Management Associates. CMA provides Lean Enterprise Consulting and Organizational Development services to industrial and Read More …

Developing a Kaizen Conscious

Michael Ballé is the co-author of, The Gold Mine, a bestselling business novel of a Lean Turnaround, and recently, The Lean Manager, a novel of a Lean Transformation both published by the Lean Enterprise Institute. For the past 15 years, he has studied lean transformations, helping companies develop a lean culture. He is an engaging Read More …

Implementing Lean – As fast as a Pit Crew?

At the recent AME Conference, Performance Instruction and Training offered sessions that allowed you to experience their unique style of learning. The concepts PIP teaches motor-sports pit crews to conduct sub 13-second pit-stops relate to your business and drive home the concepts of lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. You were able to join the Read More …

Designers, Marketers THINK BIG

Tim is right on target, a must watch video, especially for marketers. Keyword: Participatory Tim Brown says the design profession is preoccupied with creating nifty, fashionable objects — even as pressing questions like clean water access show it has a bigger role to play. He calls for a shift to local, collaborative, participatory “design thinking.” Read More …